Baby bonus? No, it’s adopt-a-dog perks

Jessica Yeo, Today Online 4 Oct 08;

INSPIRED by the Baby Bonus for mums, an animal welfare group which rescues and rehomes dogs is offering a bonus for dog adopters.

As part of World Animal Day, Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD) and Pet Lovers Centre have come up with the Pet Adoption Initiative to encourage Singaporeans to adopt a pet instead of buying one.

They will be given a hamper of food vouchers, canned food, vitamins and toys,as well as advice on caring for their new pet.

Potential adopters, however, muststill go through ASD’s standard screening process. ASD president Ricky Yeo said: “We want to make sure they don’t abuse these new incentives. We will be looking out for impulse buyers.”

Mr Yeo said some people hold to the misconception that “a rescued dog is a problematic dog. But this is 90 per cent of the time not true, as most people abandon their dogs for no reason.”

All dogs are assessed on their temperament and behaviour before adoption, and all information passed on to the would-be adopter.

Pet Lovers Centre will also provide advice to adopters, educating them on their pet’s diet, medical and other needs.

Said Mr Yeo: “Sometimes a little help from experienced people can help these adopters feel more assured.”

Mr Ng Whye Hoe, Pet Lovers’ managing director, said: “In the US, we see a growing trend of people adopting dogs. We hopeto see it here. Most Singaporeans tend to buy rather than to adopt, as most petsup for adoption are usually over a year old.”

The growing stray population and number of abandoned dogs has been cause for concern for animal groups.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) gets an average of 250 lost or unwanted dogs each month, and ASD takes in five to 15 dogs each month.

Animal welfare group like Noah Ark Cares are turning to sterilising stray dogs to curb the population.